Matt Ryan threw the longest touchdown pass of his career and became the 10th quarterback in NFL history to reach 50,000 yards, leading the Atlanta Falcons to another dominating win over Carolina, 40-20 Sunday.
Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly said he went to the sideline to be checked by trainers after being kicked in the knee. But what hurts worse is Carolina (5-8) being kicked by the Falcons for the second time in a month. Sunday's 40-20 loss was the team's fifth straight.
Whomever the Panthers hire as head coach will need a top QB, and evidence is mounting that won't be Kyle Allen, who has lost five straight starts.
Perry Fewell, interim coach of the Panthers: ‘'We're all fighting for our jobs.''
Interim coach Perry Fewell said the plan remains to stick with Kyle Allen at quarterback and not turn to third-round pick Will Grier. ‘'We feel he gives us our best chance to win,'' Fewell said of Allen, who has three turnovers.
Sloppy football such as the Panthers displayed in Sunday's 40-20 loss at Atlanta won't help interim coach Perry Fewell become a serious contender to replace Ron Rivera. Carolina had four turnovers and allowed 159 yards rushing in suffering its fifth straight loss after a 5-3 start.
Kyle Allen now has two picks and a lost fumble for the Panthers. Atlanta now has a 33-10 lead. The Falcons have outscored Carolina 62-13 in just over seven quarters this season. Allen has six interceptions during that span.
There are times when Panthers CB Donte Jackson looks great. Then there are times like the 93-yard touchdown catch he gave up to Olamide Zaccheaus where he looks bad. He's looked bad on two touchdown passes today.
Perry Fewell's first half as the Panthers' interim coach filled with some of the same obstacles Ron Rivera had -- gap control on run defense, miscommunications in the secondary. But the effort was solid and Carolina trails Atlanta only 13-10 in the first game since owner David Tepper made a coaching change.
The Panthers have struggled getting into the end zone from the opponent's 1 this season, but quarterback Kyle Allen made a nice fake to Christian McCaffrey and found tight end Ian Thomas on the left side for the touchdown on this one. Thomas, replacing Greg Olsen (concussion), has looked good other than his bobble that turned into an interception for Allen. He has three catches for 30 yards.
Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving. He is the first Carolina receiver to do that since Kelvin Benjamin in 2014. He's on the way to being the team's first legitimate No. 1 receiver since Steve Smith. You can argue Benjamin was, but not nearly the complete player that Moore is.
Confusion in the Carolina secondary on Calvin Ridley's touchdown. Looked like CB Donte Jackson bit. Explanation will be interesting, but definitely a defensive breakdown as Falcons take a 10-3 lead.
Panthers had trouble with gap control with Ron Rivera calling the defensive plays. They still are having trouble with gap control under Perry Fewell. The Falcons already have 72 yards rushing early in the second quarter.
New Panthers offensive coordinator Scott Turner in his first series went 3-and-out. He used backup running back Reggie Bonafon on a run on second down and wide receiver Curtis Samuel on a run on third and with Christian McCaffrey in the slot.
Panthers interim coach Perry Fewell didn't reveal who was calling the defensive plays today but it appears he is. That puts the head coach, defensive coordinator (Washington) and new offensive coordinator (Scott Turner) all on the field. Turner went from quarterbacks coach to OC this week, replacing his dad, Norv.
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey supporting the Wounded Warriors project for the My Cause, My Cleats game at Atlanta.
Interim Panthers coach Perry Fewell makes his debut against an Atlanta team that has beaten Carolina four straight times dating back to 2017. Fewell, who grew up not far from Charlotte, North Carolina, was a fan of the Falcons before the Panthers joined the NFL in 1995. His pre-game routine, he said earlier in the week, involves putting a towel under the door of his hotel room, turning the heat up and doing hot yoga.
Panthers' inactives: DE Christian Miller; DT Woodrow Hamilton; TE Greg Olsen (concussion); OT Greg Little (ankle); OL Chris Reed DT Stacy McGee; CB Corn Elder.
Panthers owner David Tepper is eyeing Steelers GM Kevin Colbert and/or vice president of football Omar Khan, according to league sources.
The Panthers are giving linebacker Shaq Thompson a four-year, $54.2 million extension that includes $28 million guaranteed, agent Doug Hendrickson told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The total deal maxes out at $57 million.
The Panthers gave linebacker Shaq Thompson a four-year extension. The deal is worth $54.2 with a max value of $57 million that includes $28 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Panthers are giving LB Shaq Thompson a four-year, $54.2 extension with a max value of $57 million that includes $28 million guaranteed and a $16 million signing bonus
Greg Dortch gets a second chance to return kicks for Panthers, who promote him to the 53-man roster. Wide receiver Donte Moncrief is waived.
The Panthers will be without tight end Greg Olsen for Sunday's game against the Falcons. He's still recovering from a concussion.
| TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | 344 | 296 |
| Tampa Bay | 6 | 7 | 0 | .462 | 378 | 381 |
| Carolina | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | 300 | 360 |
| Atlanta | 4 | 9 | 0 | .308 | 300 | 343 |
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(16) | Brian Burns | OLB | Florida State |
| 2(5) | Greg Little | OT | Ole Miss |
| 3(36) | Will Grier | QB | West Virginia |
| 4(13) | Christian Miller | OLB | Alabama |
| 5(16) | Jordan Scarlett | RB | Florida |
| 6(39) | Dennis Daley | OT | South Carolina |
| 7(23) | Terry Godwin | WR | Georgia |
